Category Archives: News Section

Gypsy Soul Revival

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Gypsy Soul Revival
Gypsy Soul Revival is now open at 101 Jefferson St. in Sullivan, occupying the same building as the new Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development office. The building is being restored by Quality Network Services owner Mel Workman and the main floor includes space for Darby Berry’s Gypsy Soul, which features 15 local artisans’ works under one roof. Berry is open Tuesday through Friday 11-5 and Saturdays 10-3. Berry opened August 11 in the new location and is welcomed above by Chamber Executive Director Laurrie Minor. The Chamber office and a small business incubator are also located in the building.

Sullivan Community Garden Grows More Than Vegetables

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Photo furnished.
In addition to help from school staff and the community students got to see how the community garden grew. Student gardeners from left: Addy and Asher Hendry, Zaden Hissong, Aubrey and Alex Fultz, and Nora Becker.

•August 15, 2018•

By Turnip Sprout
for the News Progress

Starting a garden on school property began as a way to show city kids where vegetables come from, but it ended up yielding more than produce.
Sullivan Elementary School fourth grade teacher Nichole Hendry had wanted a garden at school for some time, and this year possibility became reality.
“At the end of winter we planted some seeds and placed them in the windows of the classroom,” Hendry recalled how the project sprouted.
When her students saw the plants developed, they pushed her toward finding a way to plant a garden.
“From the start the students wanted to raise vegetables to donate to the Food Pantry,” she continued, noting approval to replace one of two prairie garden plots with the vegetable garden opened the door.
With a lot of help from students, school staff, teachers and volunteers from the community the garden started developing. Read More

Relay For Life Defies Rain

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•August 15, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

A sudden rain squall overturned tents and sent people scurrying for cover just as the Relay for Life was set to begin Friday evening at 5 p.m.
The event was delayed an hour before the skies cleared, but the cooler temperatures prevailed for the resilient participants.
This year’s goal is $50,000 and by Relay time nearly $26,000 had been raised. An additional $17,000 raised since the Relay has put MCRL within reach.
“If we reach our goal by August 31, we will receive national recognition,” staff coordinator Tony Holly announced, noting few attain that.
Donations to the American Cancer Society are welcome and still being received for the Moultrie County Relay for Life.
Adam McReynolds, Moultrie Country Relay Coordinator, opened the ceremonies and the Boy Scouts presented the flag. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the high school Sullivan Singers sang the national anthem. Read More

Middle School Grows

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Middle School Grows
This is the inaugural year for the new middle school classroom configuration. Over the summer the fifth grade class was moved into the original high school building enlarging the middle school to include fifth through eighth grades. The move made more space for a crowded elementary school and created excitement for the first fifth grade class included in Sullivan Middle School. Above sixth grader James Hauser and incoming fifth grader Frank Mirocha were excited to check out the next level before high school. Middle School principal Nathan Ogle said it was good to have the classrooms of the building filled with students. Supt. Ted Walk was stationed at Sullivan Elementary School where first through fourth graders were being “High Fived” by principal Dan Allen.

Governor Rauner Attends Sullivan Marina Gathering

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Governor Visits Sullivan Marina
Governor Bruce Rauner attended the Moultrie County Republican party Votes, Boats and Grub candidate gathering at the NorthEnd Pub, August 13. Among candidates attending were: front from left- State’s Attorney candidate Tracy Weaver, Circuit Clerk candidate Christa Helmuth, County board candidate Arlene Aschermann, Regional Supt. of Schools candidate Kyle Thompson, County board candidate Todd Maxedon; second row: County Chairman Dave McCabe, Circuit judge candidates Randy Rosenbaum and Roger Webber, County Treasurer candidate Stephanie Helmuth, Governor Bruce Rauner, County board candidate Tyler Graven, County board candidate Billy Voyles; back row: County board candidate Neil Bryan, State Rep. Brad Holbrook, Resident Circuit judge candidate Jeremy Richey and Sheriff Chris Sims.

•August 15, 2018•

Governor Bruce Rauner visited the Moultrie County Republican Central Committee candidate’s gathering at NorthEnd Pub and Grill at Sullivan Marina Monday, August 13.
Gov. Rauner pointed out that Central Committee Chair Dave McCabe and the Moultrie County Republican party are a passionate organization dedicated to party values and giving back to the community.
Before a crowd of 75 the governor emphasized his campaign pledge to work for term limits and replace Michael Madigan as leader of the State House of Representatives.
Gov. Rauner illustrated his commitment to helping pick up the nine seats needed to gain control in the state house. He is donating $50 million of his own money to the party to help elect Republicans statewide such as Attorney General candidate Erika Harold.
Citing a growing state immigration problem, he endorsed E-Verify, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees, both U.S. or foreign citizens, to work in the United States.
The governor indicated his resistance to raising income taxes and emphasized his support for the second amendment.
He urged Moultrie County to get the vote out. “This election is for all the marbles,” he said, explaining he needed to spend the next 90 days in Chicago suburbs where he contends for six million votes.

County Board Appoints State’s Attorney, Accepts Farm Bid, and Limits Time on Storage Containers

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Townships Get Windfall

•August 15, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

The Moultrie County Board appointed Tracy Weaver as State’s Attorney to complete Jeremy Richey’s term to 2020, accepted Clint Robinson’s bid to rent the county farm and voted to limit the time shipping and storage containers may be in one place to 14 days.
County board chair Dave McCabe appointed assistant state’s attorney Weaver, noting the Republican Central Committee recommended the appointment at the December 3, 2017 meeting. Weaver previously practiced in Cole’s County and has moved to Sullivan to complete the term of office. Unanimous approval was given the appointment.
Building and grounds chair Gary Smith recommended Robinson’s bid of $379.17 per acre rent for the county farm be approved for the 2018-2020 term. Smith noted that four bids were submitted.The motion passed unanimously.
In the planning and zoning committee report, chairman Todd Maxedon recommended a change in the county zoning ordinance concerning accessory uses. Read More

Musical High School

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Photos by Mike Brothers
Musical High School
Sullivan High School students were provided front lawn DJ services on the first day of school as DJ’s Fire and Ice played requests as students were dancing their way into the school to Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice Baby”. High School principal Erik Young is making his final selection before heading toward the halls as assistant principal Jessica Reeder discusses the music selection with approaching students.

Lovington Wins at Water Ball

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Photo by R.R. Best
Lovington Wins at Water Ball
The Sullivan Fire Protection District helped kick off Moultrie County Relay for Life with the traditional water ball competition. Lovington, Bethany and Sullivan Fire District competed, with Lovington Fire Proetction District winning the traveling plaque this year. Above Bethany Fire Protection District lieutenant Robert Martz and Training captain Phil Ozier keep water jet focused on the ball, but couldn’t grab the victory. This year’s water ball competition was especially damp; a downpour prior to the Relay delayed opening events. Donations have poured in, and the fund drive is only $7,000 from the set goal of $50,000. It would be historic nationally to reach the goal; donations are still being accepted.

McD’s Construction Pushed Back

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•August 10, 2018•

Plans for the McDonald’s in Sullivan to close for remodeling have been pushed back. The store will remain opened until further details on the build are available, according to owner Angie Matlock.

“Young Frankenstein” at The Little Theatre on the Square is Electrifying!

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•August 8, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Mel Brooks has always described ‘Young Frankenstein” as his best film. So, when he successfully turned his ‘The Producers” into a Broadway musical, it seemed only natural to follow suit with a musical version of “Young Frankenstein”.
This is vintage, madcap, bawdy Brooks with outrageous double entendres and asides aplenty. When Frederick arrives at his grandfather’s castle, he sees the enormous door knockers and exclaims, ‘Wow! What a great pair of knockers!” to which his voluptuous German assistant Inga coos, “Oh, zank you Doctor.” So, hold on to your sides and laugh the evening away.
Director Peter Marinaro has done a brilliant and masterful job of orchestrating this complicated musical with many scene changes, ensemble numbers, costume changes, hilarious props and pyrotechnics that all come off without a hitch. The use of the new screen for black and white background film is especially stunning. Read More